Sekiro New Game Plus: What To Know Before Starting

So, you've conquered Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, huh? You've faced the toughest bosses, mastered the combat, and maybe even unlocked all the endings. But wait, there's more! Enter New Game Plus (NG+), a feature that lets you relive the adventure with all your hard-earned skills and equipment. But before you jump back in, let's break down everything you need to know to make the most of your NG+ run in Sekiro.

What Carries Over to New Game Plus?

One of the most exciting aspects of starting Sekiro's New Game Plus is seeing how much of your progress carries over. You're not starting completely from scratch, which is a huge relief, right? Here's a detailed look at what you get to keep:

• Skills and Combat Arts: All those skills you painstakingly unlocked? They're all yours from the start. This means you can immediately start using advanced combat arts and skills, making those early encounters significantly easier. Imagine starting the game with the Ashina Cross or the Floating Passage – talk about a power trip!
• Prosthetic Tools and Upgrades: Your trusty prosthetic arm and all its upgrades come along for the ride. That means you can use the Loaded Axe, Flame Vent, and Mist Raven from the get-go. This opens up new combat strategies and allows you to exploit enemy weaknesses right from the beginning. Experimenting with different tool combinations can make even familiar fights feel fresh.
• Inventory Items: Most of your inventory items, like Pellets, Divine Grass, and other consumables, will be available. This gives you a significant advantage, especially in the early stages where resources can be scarce. However, key items related to story progression, like keys and certain quest items, will be reset, as they are essential for the game's narrative flow.
• Prayer Beads and Memories: All the Prayer Beads you collected to increase your vitality and posture, as well as the Memories you gained from defeating bosses to boost your attack power, are retained. This means you'll start NG+ with a substantial stat boost, making you much more formidable than you were at the beginning of your first playthrough. Feel the power!
• Gourd Seeds: You get to keep all those Gourd Seeds you found, meaning you start with your increased healing capacity. This is incredibly helpful, especially when facing tougher enemies or bosses early on.

Having all these advantages from the start makes the initial part of New Game Plus much smoother. You'll be able to breeze through areas that once gave you trouble, and you can focus on exploring new strategies and challenges. It’s a great way to experience the game with a fresh perspective while still feeling like a total badass. But remember, while you're stronger, the enemies are tougher too, so don't get too complacent!

What Doesn't Carry Over?

Okay, so you know what you get to keep, but what about the stuff that gets left behind? Knowing what resets is just as important for planning your NG+ run. Here’s what you'll have to re-collect:

• Key Items: Any key items that are essential for story progression, such as keys, certain quest-related items, and items used to unlock new areas, will be reset. This is necessary to ensure that the story progresses correctly and that you experience the game's narrative as intended.
• Progression-Based Unlocks: Certain progression-based unlocks, like access to specific areas or shortcuts, will be reset. This means you'll need to re-open those paths and unlock those areas again, which can add a bit of challenge and exploration to your NG+ run.
• Sculptor's Idols: While you retain your skills and abilities, the Sculptor's Idols (the game's checkpoints) will be reset. You'll need to reactivate them as you progress through the world. This ensures that you still need to explore and navigate the environments.

Understanding what doesn't carry over helps you set realistic expectations for your NG+ playthrough. While you'll be powerful, you'll still need to re-engage with the world and its challenges. This balance between retained power and reset progression is what makes NG+ a compelling experience, offering both a sense of accomplishment and new challenges to overcome.

What Changes in New Game Plus?

Alright, so you're loaded up with skills and ready to roll. But Sekiro's New Game Plus isn't just a victory lap; it throws some curveballs your way. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare and adjust your strategies. Let's dive into the changes:

• Increased Difficulty: The most noticeable change is the increased difficulty. Enemies hit harder, have more health, and can be more aggressive. This means you can't rely solely on your existing skills and upgrades. You'll need to refine your combat techniques and make smart use of your resources to survive. Bosses, in particular, will pose a significant challenge, requiring you to master their attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses. This heightened difficulty is designed to keep you on your toes and provide a fresh challenge, even if you're already familiar with the game.
• Enemy Placement Remains the Same: While the difficulty increases, the placement of enemies remains the same. This means you can use your knowledge of enemy locations and attack patterns to your advantage. However, don't get complacent – the increased difficulty means that even familiar encounters can quickly turn deadly if you're not careful. Use your environment strategically, exploit enemy weaknesses, and be prepared to adapt your tactics on the fly.
• No New Content: It's important to note that Sekiro's New Game Plus doesn't introduce any new story content, areas, or enemies. The focus is on replaying the existing content with increased difficulty and the ability to further refine your skills and strategies. If you're looking for new story elements or areas to explore, you won't find them in NG+. However, the increased challenge and the opportunity to experiment with different combat approaches can provide a fresh and engaging experience.

The changes in New Game Plus are all about testing your skills and knowledge of the game. It's an opportunity to push yourself to the limit and see how far you can go. Embrace the challenge, learn from your mistakes, and you'll emerge as an even more formidable shinobi than before.

Tips and Strategies for Sekiro NG+

Okay, so you're ready to tackle Sekiro NG+. Here are some tips and strategies to help you dominate:

• Aggression is Key: In Sekiro, hesitation is defeat, and this is even more true in NG+. Don't be afraid to be aggressive and take the fight to your enemies. Use your enhanced skills and abilities to pressure them and break their posture. The more aggressive you are, the less chance they have to overwhelm you.
• Perfect Your Parrying: Parrying is crucial in Sekiro, and it becomes even more important in NG+ due to the increased enemy damage. Practice your parrying timing and aim for perfect parries to deflect attacks and create openings for counterattacks. Mastering the art of parrying can turn even the toughest encounters into manageable fights.
• Utilize Prosthetic Tools: Your prosthetic tools can be incredibly effective in NG+, especially against enemies with specific weaknesses. Experiment with different tools and find the ones that work best for your playstyle. The Flame Vent can be great for dealing with beasts, while the Loaded Axe can break shields. Don't be afraid to mix and match tools to create powerful combos.
• Explore Different Combat Arts: With all your combat arts unlocked from the start, NG+ is the perfect opportunity to experiment with different styles. Try out new combinations and find the ones that suit your playstyle. The Ashina Cross can deal massive damage, while the Floating Passage can quickly break an enemy's posture.
• Manage Your Resources: Even though you start with a good supply of resources, it's important to manage them carefully in NG+. Use your consumables wisely and don't waste them on unnecessary encounters. Save your Divine Grass for emergencies and use Pellets to heal minor wounds. Conserving your resources will help you stay alive in the tougher battles.
• Don't Be Afraid to Grind: If you're struggling with a particular boss or area, don't be afraid to grind for experience and resources. Farming enemies can help you level up your attack power and acquire valuable items. Find a good farming spot and spend some time honing your skills and gathering resources before tackling the challenging content.

By following these tips and strategies, you'll be well-equipped to conquer Sekiro NG+ and emerge as the ultimate shinobi. Good luck, and may the Divine Dragon be with you!

Is New Game Plus Worth It?

So, is diving into Sekiro's New Game Plus worth your time? Absolutely! If you loved the base game and are craving more challenge, NG+ offers a fantastic way to relive the experience with a fresh perspective. The increased difficulty forces you to refine your skills and strategies, while the ability to experiment with different combat arts and prosthetic tools keeps the gameplay engaging. Plus, it's a great way to further explore the world and lore of Sekiro, even if there's no new content. For those who enjoy a good challenge and want to master the art of combat, New Game Plus is definitely worth the investment. It's a chance to prove that you're not just a skilled shinobi, but a true master of the way of the sword.

Final Thoughts

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice New Game Plus is more than just a replay; it's a chance to test your skills, refine your strategies, and truly master the art of combat. With increased difficulty and the freedom to experiment with different playstyles, NG+ offers a fresh and engaging experience for seasoned players. So, grab your katana, sharpen your skills, and prepare to embark on a new adventure in the world of Sekiro. The path of the shinobi is never easy, but with perseverance and skill, you can overcome any challenge that stands in your way. Good luck, and may your journey be filled with honor and glory!